In Death 22 - Memory in Death

unattractive and carefully enhanced.
    She wore a purple suit with bright gold buttons and a knee-length skirt. Good, sensible heels. Her scent was strong and rosy.
    He got to his feet, and though he remained in a position of power behind his desk, he offered a polite smile and his hand.
    “Ms. Lombard.” Smooth, he thought when her hand was in his. Soft and smooth, but he wouldn’t have said weak.
    “I so appreciate you taking a few minutes out of what I know must be a very busy schedule.”
    “Not at all. I’m always interested in meeting one of my wife’s… connections? Thank you, Caro.”
    He knew the brisk tone told his admin not to offer refreshment. She simply inclined her head, backed
    out. Shut the doors. “Please, have a seat.”
    “Thank you. Thank you so much.” Her voice and her eyes were bright. “I wasn’t sure if little Eve
    sorry, I still think of her that way if Eve had mentioned me.”
    “Did you think she wouldn’t?”
    “Well, you see, I feelterrible, just terrible, about the way I handled things yesterday.” She pressed a
    hand to her heart.
    Her nails, he noted, were long, well manicured, and painted boldly red. There was a ring on her right hand, a thick gold band around a sizable amethyst.
    Matching earrings, he observed, to make a well-put-together if unimaginative ensemble.
    “And how did you handle things yesterday?” he asked her.
    “Well, poorly, I confess. I realized I should have contacted her first, and instead I just jumped in head first, a habit of mine. I’m just too impulsive, especially when my feelings are engaged. Eve had such a hard, hard time back then, and seeing me, out of the blue, no warning at all, it must’ve taken her right back. I upset her.”
    Now she pressed that hand to her lips, and her eyes shimmered. “You have no idea what that poor,
    sweet child was like when she came to me. Like a little ghost in my house, hardly casting a shadow,
    and scared of even that just the same.”
    “Yes, I imagine so.”
    “And I blame myself for not thinking it through first, because I understand now that seeing me again
    just made her remember those terrible days before she was safe again.”
    “So, you’ve come to see me so I can pass your apologies along. I’m happy to do so. Though I think you’ve overestimated your impact on my wife.”
    He sat back, swiveled the chair lazily. “I believe she was a bit irritated by the unexpected visit. But
    upset? It isn’t the word I’d choose. So, please, rest your mind, Ms. Lombard. I hope you’ll enjoy your time in the city, however brief, before you return home.”
    It was a dismissal, flat and pleasant. A busy man idly brushing a speck of lint off his jacket pocket.
    He saw it register, saw that quick flick, like a snake’s tongue, flash in her eyes.
    And there she is, he thought. There’s the viper under the conservative dress and sugary accent.
    “Oh, oh, but Icouldn’tgo back to Texas without seeing my little Eve, without making personal amends, and being sure she’s all right.”
    “I can assure you, she’s fine.”
    “And Bobby? Why my Bobby’s fretting to see her. He was like a brother to her.”
    “Really? How odd then she’s never mentioned him.”
    Her smile was indulgent now, and just a little sly. “I think she had just a tiny little crush on him. I expect she doesn’t want you to be jealous.”
    His laugh was quick, rich and long. “Please. Now, if you’d like, you can certainly leave your name and address with my administrative assistant. If the lieutenant wants to contact you, she will. Otherwise …”
    “Now this just won’t do. This won’t do at all.” Trudy sat up straighter, and her tone took on a little lash. “I took care of that girl for over six months, took her into my home out of the goodness of my heart.
    And believe me when I say she wasn’t easy. I think I deserve more than this.”
    “Do you? And what do you think you deserve?”
    “All right now.” She shifted in her chair into what he assumed was her bargaining pose. “If you think
    that seeing me and my boy isn’t the right thing, thenand I know I’m talking to a businessman hereI think I should be compensated. Not only for the time and the effort, and the trouble I went to for that
    girl all those years back when nobody wanted to take her in, but for all the inconvenience and expense
    it’s taken for me to come here, just to see how she’s doing.”
    “I see. And do you have a measure of this